Unfortunately, I would say the Pats and broncos are the only offenses in my opinion that can beat our D handily. Our D is designed with big DB's to overpower the downfield threats of the NFL. But with teams that specialize in short-game efficiency, I feel they can pick us apart. Remember the preseason game when Peyton Manning had those drives where he was able to move downfield at will? It's the same concept.

Therefore, I would say -we are heavy underdogs next week, even at home-the only way we can beat them is in either a shootout, or in playing "keep-away" or whatever you call it when we try to keep the ball away...

oasis wrote:Unfortunately, I would say the Pats and broncos are the only offenses in my opinion that can beat our D handily. Our D is designed with big DB's to overpower the downfield threats of the NFL. But with teams that specialize in short-game efficiency, I feel they can pick us apart. Remember the preseason game when Peyton Manning had those drives where he was able to move downfield at will? It's the same concept.

Therefore, I would say -we are heavy underdogs next week, even at home-the only way we can beat them is in either a shootout, or in playing "keep-away" or whatever you call it when we try to keep the ball away...

New England has opened as a 4-point favorite.

You are absolutely entitled to state your opinion whenever you wish, and I am absolutely entitled to point out the stupidity of that opinion with the same frequency.

I agree to an extent that seattle will have a tougher time, especially with Aaron Hernandez possibly coming back. I don't think they're gonna have a hay day though. Its at home and New England has struggled in pass pro. I do agree that the Hawks need to play keep away, but I don't think it will be a dominant offensive showing by the pats and that Seattle has to win via a shootout.

truehawksfan wrote:Hmmm. The Hawks D has faced 2 very good QBs - Romo and Rogers - and they held their own, so I agree with most that this D has proven themselves and feel they can walk away with a win.

That's my point. Even though we beat two very good QB's, they do not have the short-game like the pats and broncos.

Pretty sure we've held two of the best scoring offenses in the NFL pretty much scoreless so far this season. Brady has never faced the Seahawks in Seattle, last time NE was here Cassell was the QB. Bump and run on the outside to shut down the quick stuff, and there is no way Brady is going to be able to buy time against Clem and Irvin....

I think we're built pretty well to counter their big te's. They wont be able to rely on just being exponentially bigger than the men covering them when our secondary are all either 6'3" or Earl Thomas (who is proving to be all universe).

If Rusty continues to improve and helps the offense be a little more dynamic, i like our chances at home.

This poster officially refuses to recognize SacHawk2.0 as a moderator or authority figure of any description.

Brady's career might end in Seattle. I predict a "giantesque" beat down of Brady. Especially with Mebane, Alan Branch and Jason Jones coming up the middle. The world will find out why the Patriot running back was a late round pick.

Navyhawkfan187 wrote:Pretty sure we've held two of the best scoring offenses in the NFL pretty much scoreless so far this season. Brady has never faced the Seahawks in Seattle, last time NE was here Cassell was the QB. Bump and run on the outside to shut down the quick stuff, and there is no way Brady is going to be able to buy time against Clem and Irvin....

Maybe my football knowledge is a bit off, but isn't the "quick stuff" over the middle... where Brady gives his first look... because he's weird like that...and we suck over the middle...?

I have to agree. Our D always seems to get beat on those short dump off passes or against smaller, faster receivers. There will be no deep threat, but I expect the Pats to put up 20-30. We'll hold them when necessary though, and our offense needs to take advantage.

oasis wrote:Unfortunately, I would say the Pats and broncos are the only offenses in my opinion that can beat our D handily. Our D is designed with big DB's to overpower the downfield threats of the NFL. But with teams that specialize in short-game efficiency, I feel they can pick us apart. Remember the preseason game when Peyton Manning had those drives where he was able to move downfield at will? It's the same concept.

Therefore, I would say -we are heavy underdogs next week, even at home-the only way we can beat them is in either a shootout, or in playing "keep-away" or whatever you call it when we try to keep the ball away...

Maybe up in Foxboro or on a neutral field. Not in Seattle. It's going to be LOUD. The Patriots haven't come out this way since Matt Cassel was under center.

Not to mention, unlike teams they've had success against, we can shut down the run and make them very one dimensional. I think we matchup very well with the Patriots .. at least when the defense is on the field.

He does do quick throws over the middle, and Green Bay was a little success with the same quick throws. You have to remember Arizona pretty much shut them down in New England. I like our chances defensively in the Clink, especially with a week to scheme against their quick throws and heavy TE sets. Seattle will need to do more offensively, because I don't see us keeping them out of the end zone though.

If anyone can pick apart our defense it's the Pats. Our D is rock solid up front, on the edges, and deep, but we have an obvious weak spot in the middle. It seems like pretty much every time a team gashes us, that's where they're doing it. With Gronk, Welker, and possibly Hernandez and Edelman, they have plenty of guys to take advantage. You have to figure that the coaches are going to focus on that this week, though. They prepped really well for Newton, only allowing one good option and one solid scramble. Hopefully now that the middle will be at real risk (frankly, none of our opponents were really ready to exploit it), they'll shore it up.

The Packers came into our house with all the promise of being the best Offense in the league. They have never been the same after our defense laid the smackdown. The Pats two losses are to teams that bring the "D". Why shouldn't we then repeat that?

rastahawk wrote:The Packers came into our house with all the promise of being the best Offense in the league. They have never been the same after our defense laid the smackdown. The Pats two losses are to teams that bring the "D". Why shouldn't we then repeat that?

Brady will feel the pain this weekend! Beat on them until they cant compete any longer that's how you beat them!

The question is, will NE's OL be able to give Brady enough time to throw? They didn't against AZ. We get them in the CLink. Our D is better than AZ's, and we only have one less sack on the year. I say BRING IT!!!

"You can hurry up all you want. But if you can't get yards and can't complete passes, then it's just quick three-and-outs." -- Richard Sherman

Now I'm going to qualify what I'm about to write by saying that New England IS a good offensive team and that Brady (obviously) is a future HOF'er. That said, I do believe that the Patriots are a bit overrated.

If one goes to the stats, you will find that the Patriots Offense is ranked #1 Overall in the NFL -- #1 in terms of passing yards/game (438.3) ... and #8 in rushing yards/game (144). BUT you have to qualify that a bit by asking, "Just WHO is it they have done all that against?" Here is a breakdown of the teams they have played thus far ...

Win at Tennessee 34-13 ...The Titans defense is ranked 31st in overall (27th in Passing Yards/Game [285.0] ... and 27th in Rushing Yards/Game [136.5])The Titans defense has given up 151 Points (MOST in the NFL)

Loss at home against Arizona 20-18 ...The Cardinals defense is now ranked 28th overall (15th in Passing Yards/Game [231.0] ... and 16th in Rushing Yards/Game [103])The Cardinals defense has given up 78 Points (9th Best in the NFL)

Loss at Baltimore 31-30 ...the Ravens defense is ranked 21st overall (29th in Passing Yards/Game [295.8] ... and 13th in Rushing Yards/Game [94.5])The Ravens defense has given up 83 Points (tied for 11th in the NFL)

Win at home against Denver 31-21 ...the Broncos defense is ranked 8th overall (13th in Passing Yards/Game [220.5] ... and 9th in Rushing Yards/Game [87.5] The Broncos defense has given up 83 Points (tied for 11th in the NFL)

In contrast, the Seahawks defense ...Has given up the 4th fewest yards (1103)Is tied with Detroit for the 9th fewest Passing Yards/Game given up (213.0)Is ranked #2 in fewest Rushing Yards/Game allowed [62.8]and is 2nd in fewest points allowed (58, which is only 2 points -- our safety today -- behind Houston for a share of the #1 Spot).

Given that this one's at the CLINK and that the House will be Quaking ... I'd say we most definitely have a far better chance than a lot of National Experts out there are undoubtedly going to give us this week.

I like this matchup>going to be tough,Brady is a hall of fame QB but the D is hungry for him.The Pats D is not very good.If we can score 21 I think we can win.Not going to lie though.The thought of New England getting Welker vs Trufant in the slot matchup worries me.

THIS is the game where the national media sees what's up in Seattloe. you know people are watching New England. This is our coming out party game. We saw glimpses of RW throwing all over the field this week. I don't doubt his abilities anymore--the kid is a baller. I say we beat them 28-17.

I actually think we are well suited to beat the Pats offense except if they go hurry up the entire game. That is our only weakness. We are dependent on personnel switching to make our defense go. Otherwise we can stuff the run, disrupt the short passing game, cover the deep passes and rush the QB - but only if we have the right guys in.

Otherwise -

1) They have no deep threat.

2) Their offensive line is good but not great.

3) They are depending on their run game to get first downs.

4) Their wrs are susceptible to being bumped off the line.

If Hernandez plays it definitely creates a mismatch for us but I am sure that we will deal with it.

Seattle will need to look like the Green Bay/Carolina games on defense and the Dallas second half on offense in order to beat the Patriots. The Hoodie will try to dink-and-dunk us to death in order to neutralize our pass rush, and he has the QB to do it, so we'll just have to shorten the clock and answer their drives. We've definitely got a chance, but that's the formula.

"We don't even need your stupid a-- that much. We can win Super Bowls with retired Kerry f------- Collins right now, and you want to be the highest paid player of all-time? F--- you." - Tical21 to Russell Wilson, 6/30/15

In contrast, the Seahawks defense ...Has given up the 4th fewest yards (1103)Is tied with Detroit for the 9th fewest Passing Yards/Game given up (213.0)Is ranked #2 in fewest Rushing Yards/Game allowed [62.8]and is 2nd in fewest points allowed (58, which is only 2 points -- our safety today -- behind Houston for a share of the #1 Spot).

Houston plays tonight, so Seattle might move into the #1 scoring position by the end of the night.

I also agree with Montana above. The Patriots are going to put up a couple scores on our defense, even at home. I don't think they're going to get to their normal 30 spot, but we are going to need the offense to show up and keep Brady off the field. Also, we're going to face our stiffest test in the run game as Ridley and Bolden are apparently capable of insane games.

I think the Hawks need to play the "keep away" game. Executing and getting first downs. Move the ball slowly and POUND Lynch. Don't give up on that run. If it means Wilson has a few designed runs, so be it, but keep the game close and get Brady pressured. Brady won't wuss out, but he will throw the ball into coverage under pressure.

I say beat down on Brady also, make him work for everything.

The only concern I have and I mean only is that Bevell will get cute and pass even though Lynch is gaining yardage. 1/30/2015 - loaf

Just a couple things that stick out in my mind with this upcoming game. Last year, Brady had a horrific game against the Bills. I believe he threw 4 interceptions and the Bills ended up winning. One of the biggest upsets last season. The Patriots use the no huddle offense quite a bit. Since this game is at the Clink, I think it will be down right impossible for them to run it with how loud we are.

I am quite sure the Patsies are dreading coming to Seattle to face #12 and the 11+ on that defense. Yeah, they will watch film and try to exploit whatever weaknesses they think they see, but whatever they draw up, they still must execute.

Hopefully the Hawks can do what they did yesterday on 3rd down, on BOTH sides of the ball.

With the experience of Brady he will eat away the middle of the field with the big TE's.This will do two things, 1: move the ball down the field and 2: eat up the clock. I am predicting it will be quick drops and get rid of the ball. Thus no time to get to him. Three sacks at most. They saw what we did to GB and they will learn from the mistakes GB made in the first half. Once NE gets 10 points on the board and RW has to play from behind and play catch up, it's done. I would love to see a pure dominating performance from our D but I Wouldn't bet on it. They will be on the field for too long and become tired like GB did to them in the 2nd half of that game.

I was nervous about the Green Bay game but I remember seeing a stat about Green Bay's schedule last year that seemed anecdotal at the time but now I'm thinking was pretty damn solid proof the Pack are a bit of a mirage. Green Bay didn't play one top 10 defense in 2011, they amassed all those stats and wins against lower tier defenses. I'm wondering if that is the same for Tom Brady and company this season.

I still give the Pat's a little benefit of the doubt as they were in the Superbowl last season, and played almost well enough to win, but I would be way more worried about playing the Texans. Plus, we're at home, it's uphill for other teams to win here. I can see Seattle losing but seeing them winning doesn't seem far fetched.